Carol Willis also introduced new artistic director Marissa Meek who begins her role with OTA soon.

Michael Aldrich and Richard Waites reprise 10 different roles each for October’s “Greater Tuna.” The pair performed a scene on June 9 during Olympic Theatre Arts’ reveal of its 2019-2020 season. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Olympic Theatre Arts began with Sequim actor Richard Waites and his performance of “Krapp’s Last Tape” in March 1980 in the Dungeness Schoolhouse. He asked attendees if they’d like to start a community theater, which led him and others like Olivia Shea to form OTA.

Waites returns with Michael Aldrich to start in “Greater Tuna” this October. The duo starred in the production 10 years ago with Shea directing, too.

2019-20 OTA Season

• “The Reluctant Dragon,” Aug. 23-Sept. 1, 2019, Main Stage

OTA Children’s Theatre Production focuses on Charity who builds a friendship with a poetry-loving dragon but conflict arises when villagers ask for the dragon to be slain.

• “Greater Tuna,” Oct. 4-13, 2019, Gathering Hall

By Ed Howard, Joe Sears and Jackson Williams

Olivia Shea directs Rick Waites and Michael Aldrich in Greater Tuna 10 years after they worked together to bring small town Tuna, Texas to life. Waites and Aldrich each play 10 characters sharing comedic anecdotes about small town life.

• “Silent Sky,” Nov. 8-24, 2019, Main Stage

By Lauren Gunderson

This biographical play follows astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, a 19th century astronomer, and her struggles during a time of immense scientific discoveries and men claimed their credit. Director Josh Sutcliffe said there are powerful female roles in the play that all have character arcs. “These are the roles I’d want to play if I were a woman,” he said.

Steven Humphrey, musical director for “Another Night Before Christmas” snap a shot of art created for the show by Gail McLain. The art piece will be raffled off during its run Dec. 13-22. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

• “Another Night Before Christmas,” Dec. 13-22, 2019, Gathering Hall

By Sean Grennan, music by Leah Okimoto

Dan DePrez directs for the first time with Steven Humphrey serving as musical director for the tale of a social worker that becomes entrenched with a homeless man claiming to be Santa Claus. Directors said the script made is emotional and is a comedic, musical battle between cynicism and belief.

• “Miss Lillian, a Life of Some Significance,” Jan. 18-19, 2020, Main Stage

Carol Swarbrick-Dries brings the story of Jimmy Carter’s mother to life in this one-woman show in cooperation with The League of Women Voters.

Victoria Miller performs a line about how she met her husband in a scene in “Quilters” as director Richard Stephens and actress Sarah Shea look on. The musical is part of OTA’s 40th season from Feb. 21-March 8, 2020. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

• Quilters, Feb. 21-March 8, 2020, Main Stage

By Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek

Richard Stephens directs this music following a pioneer woman and her six daughters. Organizers say it blends love, warmth, rich and lively humor and the moving spectacle of simple human dignity and steadfastness in the face of adversity.

• OTA’s Shakespearean Renaissance Faire! March 27-29, 2020

Dress up and join OTA for its annual romp into the Elizabethan era.

• “A Facility for Living,” May 1-17, 2020, Main Stage

By Katie Forgette

Christy Holy directs this comedy centered on retired actor Joe Taylor as he moves into a prison-turned-elder-care facility shortly after the demise of Medicare. Organizers say Taylor discovers a community of lovable, irascible inmates hellbent on bucking the dehumanizing system in which they have landed.

• “Let Me Down Easy,” June 19-28, Gathering Hall

By Anna Deavere Smith

Carol Swarbrick-Dries returns to direct this comedy-drama composed of interview transcripts with a range of people examining the miracle of human resilience through the lens of the national debate on health care.

Victoria Miller performs a line about how she met her husband in a scene in “Quilters” as director Richard Stephens and actress Sarah Shea look on. The musical is part of OTA’s 40th season from Feb. 21-March 8, 2020. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash